Monday, October 27, 2014

I do not claim to be a biblical scholar so if you are, you might want to turn around now...

I was thinking today about how I thought I remember that Moses could not see Gods face, that we arent allowed to (yes i know people saw Jesus).

I was thinking about what a blessing that kind of is. Because we seek and seek to know Him and how knowing me, I'd give up seeking once I saw His face. But since I can't, I'll just keep seeking Him.

It's quiet time kind of :) and I'm in such a great place, going where God wants me to go, serving in places where God leads and just getting a little reminder of how amazing it is to serve under amazing leadership!

A few weeks ago God sent me somewhere and I had no idea why. It drove me crazy but I didn't ask Him why, I just went. And then I expected a great realization of what was next.

Nothing.

And so I kept seeking, being open to what He wanted. Waiting... Waiting... And this weekend... I got my answer.

Release

I beautiful release

A secret whisper to my heart that said "dear child I loveyou, go". It wasn't something I thought was ever going to come and it seemed beautiful.

It means that I can go, wherever that is. And so even more... Seeking

Standing and kneeling on these verses:

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. (Jeremiah 29:12-14 ESV)

I think of all the places that has lead me, quietly by the small of my back, and the places that He has strongly said "GO NOW", the places He has delivered me from, and it overwhelms me. And while it is a quiet time of quiet leading, I'm overwhelmed by thankfulness.

I feel like everywhere feels kind of uncomfortable but I think it's meant to feel that way, so that the only place I can go is to Him, to seek comfort in His embrace.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

I can't even explain to you how beautiful colorado is!!! I'm sitting here in the quietness of the house (which is the opposite of how it usually is) and I'm thinking about how lucky I am!

When we got here the mayor on the announcement said "300 days of sunshine". That's seriously enough for me to say "I'm in"

The temperature was 85* today and it was perfect, and the evening cooled down to perfection. I mean it got a little chilly but it was very nice!!!

We stopped and got yummy Thai food for lunch and ate it at the park, because as Katie said "eating inside seemed like a sin on such a beautiful day" and we went to the airplane park as the boys call it and we walked by this cute little stream... And of course had to get our feet wet! And the boys wanted to go deeper so some kind of crazy auntie thing came over me and we walked in the stream, well I carried the boys a lot of the time and we were silly and we found "a treasure" in the water... A golf ball. Lol and then we were so lucky!!!! We found another one!!!! What a fun time filled with smiles and giggles and hugs and kisses!!!

We celebrated Zion's birthday which was our "official" reason for coming out even though when 5 people you really really love live somewhere, you don't need an official reason lol! We celebrated with delicious food, lots of giggles, Rice Krispie treats, Popsicles (Zion loves Popsicles!!!!), glow sticks, flashlight tag, and balloons!

In the past few months I've had a crazy change in my schedule and it's been an adjustment and sometimes it's a really difficult one but in some ways it's been absolutely amazing! I'm still serving because serving Jesus is in my DNA, but im spending way more time with people i love, I'm less hurried and harried, I'm a lot lore go with the flow, I have noticed I feel like I smile more. I am more relaxed and things still get done, I'm just not a control freak about it.

I thought about how there is a good chance this weekend could have not happened if I had been too busy! I could have easily let it slip by and a year could have gone by without visiting these lovelies! I could have postponed and tried to fit it in, but instead I fit things around it because it was a priority.

The truth is I couldn't imagine my life without these lovelies and so I am not going to, they will always be a priority for me. They bring lots of love and joy to my heart. I was thinking about someone who means a lot to me and how our time isn't always carved out because of our schedules but when we get it, we enjoy our time together, and I don't take one minute for granted.

I'd like to give you a tidbit of advice, don't wait. The things that you love, go after them, take the time to spend time with the people you love, visit the places you've always wanted to see! Don't postpone your joy!!

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Yesterday was the 3rd Tuesday of the month, which
means it was time to make a meal for My Brother’s Keeper.It’s one of my favorite ways to serve Jesus.

In the past I have always had the craziest biggest plans for
dinner.I’ve always had this attitude
that our meal has to be the best meal they have all month.To the point of craziness.To be honest, as much as I love serving them
a delicious meal I’d push myself to a point of exhaustion, and something that I
loved would cause my heart to be overwhelmed.I cared so much about what everyone else thought.

In the past couple months, God has slowed my heart so much.
He’s changed my focus from everyone else to Him.And loving God is simple, it’s when I change
my focus to anything else, it just gets… well crazy.

So last month, I made mostacolli.I have always prayed about what God wants me
to bring, and I follow through, but sometimes I tend to take it over the top
(imagine that) but the last two months the direction has been to keep it simple
and so that I have and both times, it certainly has been beneficial.Simple meals and everyone has really loved,
one guy even came up for thirds yesterday and all it was just Chili-Mac… but
they loved it!(and the funny thing is
that since I never follow a recipe – I’ll never be able to make it that way
again HAHAHA!)

I think that sometimes I make things way too complicated.

I love a church in Buckley, MI (the Tabernacle), they have a mission statement:

Love God, love people

I really doesn’t get any simpler than that.

And loving God means following Him, and being obedient.Sometimes it’s doing things that are
difficult and that we are afraid of.The
fear of being heart broken, the fear of letting people down, the fear of the unknown.I remember one time when I was struggling with
something I didn’t like, and I said to a friend “it sucked but at least I knew
what I was up against” and my friend simply said to me “I understand it’s hard,
but right now, it’s the devil you know versus the devil you don’t, just stick to
the way that you’ve been lead and it will all work out”.I made that decision based on being lead by
God and I’ll never be sorry about that.And even though it was hard, it was worth it.

Every decision should be able to be made that easily.Follow God.What does He say?What does

He say in prayer?What does His Word say?What is the feeling that I have in my spirit?

Following God helps grow the peace in my fruit.I don’t get angry about things, my attitude
is a lot more “go with the flow”, I actually have to try to be a control freak,
I don’t spend my time trying to control things or make them happen, I, of
course plan and prep, and do the hard work in order to be successful, but it is
to honor God and for that reason only.

I’ve never had such peace in my life,and I’ve never noticed so many people with a
lack of peace in their lives, and it has changed my prayer life.I pray often that they will learn to let go,
trust God, and learn to rest in His peace.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Last night we were watching the Avengers, and Bruce Banner who turns into the hulk said that.

Today, I'm so tired. I forgot my sweater (actually grabbed my sweater dress instead of a sweater as I headed out the door in my sleeveless shirt) so I'm embarrassed that I had to wear a black zippee at work. Probably because I was rushed as I packed for My Brothers Keeper this morning... For the record, the reason I'm tired was worth it. Every.minute.

But as I'm tired running into Kroger for a few last minute things, three people cut me off in the store... There isn't enough sauce on my noodles (LOL - how dumb is that!), I'm annoyed about a project I am working on and had I not been tired, I can deal with all these things. But tired, I could send up big, green, and ugly.
So I whisper "grace". The truth is I need it as much as I need to give it.

Because the truth is that in these moments, I am most like me and least like Jesus and let's be honest... I have no reason to be a jerk. But if you know me, I can go from sweet to a real jerk in 2 seconds flat... And if I am tired, it might be even quicker. That is why I try to take good care of myself, get rest, eat well... read my bible, bible studies, spend time with friends, etc.

I'm blessed to have spent time with someone I care about, I have a great job (that makes it possible to pay for groceries at the grocery store without worries and that I can ), I've got a million blessings (and I got a free tea this morning!!!! FREE CAFFEINE!!!) and I'm going to serve at my favorite place today!!

So while I may have moments of wanting to throat punch someone (and it's not even Thursday!) Jesus is in me, I'm covered by grace, so my only choice today is to choose to live love.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Wow, it's quiet. People are playing games, crocheting, playing guitar, I read a chapter in a great book (Chasing God by Angie smith) and i felt this overwhelming desire to stand in the doorway to the outside world. The weather is kind of dreary and as beautiful as it still is, I haven't gotten any super fabulous pictures the kind that are Facebook braggy but I still take them because I love the beauty of gray.

Days like these force us to be still, snuggle up, think, pray, relax, rest, and find comfort in the very One who loves us most. We don't get wrapped up in the wonder seeking of the moments, we just are because, He is.

I stood by the side door, warm on one side from the house, and the cool damp air hit my face and made me just... Thankful. Thankful that sometimes He says "stop running, child, just snuggle up in Me".

I looked out the door and I went to get my camera because while the picture might not be Facebook fabulous but they ring so sweetly to my heart, I didn't want to forget this moment, not ever.

Rest in this moment, with Me.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10 NIV)

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Soo... I have this crazy secret to tell you... and I think it's HILARIOUS and you might not even care... but I thought I'd share it with you...

In our house...

We use men's deodorant/antiperspirant. Yes, and there are no men living in our house.

We sweat, and we sweat a lot, and women's normal antiperspirant just doesn't cut it. That one commercial for secret "strong enough for a man but made for a woman"... bull-oney. And then we tried the clinical strength... nope. it worked for a while but then it just seemed to make a mess of our clothes (no thanks!) so one of my favorite students told us about how she uses "Old Spice" and we tried it, and we like it.

To tell you the truth, I hated most of those girly scents, like the baby powder one... BLECK! DISGUSTING!

So like most things I've found, it doesn't have to be expensive to work well, and it seems like men's things are cheaper than women's anyway.

So if you come to my house and you see a men's deodorant, don't freak out, I'm not hiding a guy anywhere, we just use that deodorant. LOL

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Well
Good Morning Everybody!(OK in my mind I
can hear Chad saying that! From Sunday mornings at Metro with his big flashy
smile!)

But
today I woke up and I prayed, I prayed for my teams that I went to Haiti with
this year, specifically.It’s been a
long couple months since I’ve been there, and my last trip was hard, really
hard.It probably was the hardest trip I’ve
ever had, and I’ve had some doosies…

My
friend was IM’ing me yesterday and I thought about how incredibly lucky I am,
really blessed by the amazing, gentle hand of God. My life hasn’t been easy,
that’s for sure, and in that I’ve probably made it harder on others around me,
and I’m sorry for that.Mostly, I’ve
probably made it hardest for my Peanut, while I’d like to have given her all
her hearts desires, I couldn’t. But we sure have had some great times, and I am
so thankful for the things we’ve done, worked hard for, cried through, laughed
so loud we were annoying, and I’ve loved, oh how I’ve loved her, and many
countless others.This single mom is
blessed more than she deserves, that’s for sure

I am
going to Germany, I’ve never been there before, and I’ve always wanted to go,
maybe because my dad’s best friend while I was growing up is from there, I don’t
know, but I’ve always wanted to see that beautiful country.I am so excited!!!

I was
thinking about the time I got to go to Vienna, Austria.I mean, wow. I don’t even know how we could
have ever afforded it.Surely, God’s
provision.We went on such a tight
budget, it was crazy, I think we split EVERYTHING (and we always had enough)
because we didn’t have a lot of extra money.But we went, and I was able to see the World’s Oldest Zoo but better than that,
I saw my daughter sing at the Musikverein in Vienna.I mean, it’s crazy, I was just some stupid
single mom, barely making it, and my daughter with this amazing talent…God has surely blessed us.

And
how many times have I been to Haiti?Yikes!A place I never wanted to
go, and my heart just feels so free and open there, I am so thankful to have
gone so many times, met so many amazing people, and loved so very much!I don’t know what the future holds, but I
hope it’s more trips and more hugs, and more smooches!

And
in 8 days I will be joining 5 people I love so very much!They moved to Colorado, and everyone knows
that I wish I was there. OH MAN!I miss
them!Its hard to follow after the kind
of leader that Adam (and Katie) are without missing it.it’s hard to love 3 little boys, and have
them steal your heart, only to move away, but the truth is, I am better for
knowing and my best for loving them.And
how lucky am I that I can go see them.I
mean, it’s just amazing!!!

But
you know what the best part is? I’m in a place where I love, and am loved. I
have friends who love me EVERYDAY even when I’m a crazy person, and calm me
down, and celebrate with me.I have a
great job, and a great cute little house, I have too much stuff (and I’ve gone
in my life without!), we are never without clean water and food, and love.I am going up north with people this weekend
that I love and love me, and I might have to do some work, but that’s ok, because
if I worked at McDonald’s I wouldn’t have to do that, but I probably couldn’t
afford to go if I did.And I also get to
hug my dear friend because I am going a little early to see her!

It’s
been a long journey, not without heartache and pain, but worth every step.

home

I HATE SHOES!

Belle Isle

31 days

Brave Girl Boots

Picture

About Me

This blog is about me, well, not really not about me, it's about God's story in my oh-so-not-perfect life. I'm thankful for God's grace.
I'm a woman saved by grace. A single mom who is in love with Jesus and a beautiful daughter. I often stand in amazement of them both!
I have found a love in Jesus that I never thought there was. This love involves trust, and joy and feelings I never thought possible.
It's opened my heart to amazing things. It's made me more aware of the blessing around me.
He's amazing.